The Phils and Jose Contreras were “very encouraged” by Big Truck’s bullpen session Friday morning. “I think he had a really good demeanor when he walked off the mound,” Amaro said of the 40-year-old righty who made only 17 appearances in 2011 because of elbow problems. “That’s a very, very good step for him.”

Young reliever and Phillies Nation contributor Justin de Fratus will be shut down for at least a week because of right elbow soreness. De Fratus’ elbow reportedly first tightened in January and the team is taking a cautious approach.

In other news…

Michael Schwimer was a guest on CSNPhilly.com’s Lunch Break this morning. He sat down with John Gonzalez to discuss life in the big leagues and rookie hazing.